An Introduction to Club Cycling - 5 September 2020

"An Introduction to Club Cycling" is a monthly ride run by ICC specifically for people who would like to try out the club cycling environment in a non-pressured and supportive group.

If you wish to join ICC then you will need to complete one of the compulsory training sessions, either this Introduction Ride or the Group Skills in Regents Park.

You must be signed up for this event to take part. If you are not signed up here on the forum, you will not be able to participate.

PLEASE READ

Unfortunately we cannot offer this session to complete cycling beginners as we are not teaching cycling proficiency.

ALL ABOUT YOU:

You should have already been cycling regularly in some capacity and be confident cycling on London's roads.

You should be familiar with your bike, its set-up and be confident riding it. If you've only just bought your bike, take it out for a couple of spins on your own to gain confidence before you join a group ride with us.

You should have a moderate level of fitness already. Capable of riding 40 km at an average speed of at least 20 km/h, with several steep hills and only brief stops. If you're not yet comfortable at that distance or pace please build up with solo rides before coming along.

You should be interested in learning how to ride with a group, and open to improving your cycling skills and communication with other riders.

THE SESSION:

We will cycle a 40 km route and discuss group formation, signals, group communication.

There will be a cafe stop at the end of our ride where we can discuss things such as endurance fitness, hill climbing and any other questions about the club. Depending on pace, we should get to the cafe stop in Highgate between 11.30am - 12.30pm.

HOW DO I JOIN IN?

If you wish to attend this session you need to sign up to the ride here on the Islington forum.

Register as a user on the forum (please help us by creating an actual name rather than the default username) then click the 'Yes I'm Attending' button above to confirm your attendance. If you see no places left, it is because the session is full. We do not maintain a waiting list so please keep checking back in case a place becomes available.

Places are strictly limited - this is to ensure we can safely guide you on our route. Because of this, please do not attend this session if you have not signed up on the forum - you will be turned away.
Please note: If you sign up but do not attend, we reserve the right to restrict your future attendance to Intro Rides. This is due to high demand for spots on this ride. If you do sign up but cannot attend, please remove yourself from the attendance list so someone else can take the spot.

WHAT TO BRING:

As with all club rides, you must wear a helmet to take part in this ride.

Your bike must be in a good and roadworthy condition. Check your wheels are straight, that your gears shift reliably and your brakes work correctly. Ensure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure.

Spare inner tubes, tools and a pump. Other riders may help you if you are in trouble but you should be self-sufficient and at the very least be able to fix a puncture.

We're only doing a short ride, so an energy bar or a banana will do for food. Make sure you start the day with a decent breakfast!

Bring water, making sure that you can easily carry it with you on your bike.

The weather can change quickly so make sure you have checked the weather report and dress appropriately (waterproofs/warm clothing when appropriate).

Money for the cafe stop or in case of an emergency (you might be in a situation where you need to get a train or taxi home so bring enough cash or your cash card!)

Mask/Face Covering. While not required to be worn while riding, please bring a face mask for when entering shops or potential cafe stop at the end of a ride

WHAT TO LEAVE AT HOME:

BIKE LOCKS. Please leave your heavy D lock at home! You will not need it on this ride.

RUCKSACKS. You should be able to stuff all your things into jersey pockets or a saddle bag. Please aim to travel light.

OTHER STUFF:

ALL RIDERS MUST observe the Highway Code AT ALL TIMES when riding with Islington CC. This includes: riding no more than two abreast and riding in single file to allow traffic to pass on narrow roads, obeying traffic lights and signs, not riding on pavements and not abusing other road users.

Please acknowledge any courtesy shown to you by other road users and stop at pedestrian crossings where necessary.

Feel free to read our Group Riding Guide for more details: https://islington.cc/s/ICC-Group-Riding-Guide-Updated-August-2020.pdf

Riders attend club rides strictly at their own risk. Please listen to your ride leaders and follow their instructions.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Zac,
Development Secretary

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Hi, I recently moved to London and interested in joining your club. Is this the intro ride I'd need to join? Should I buy a membership in advance? I'm certainly comfortable on my bike, but would appreciate some group riding tips. Thanks!

Hi Geoff,

To join the club you will need to complete this Intro Ride, or a Group Skills session. There are actually 2 sessions in August prior to this one (find them here https://forum.islington.cc/microcosms/1304/), you can attend one of those instead if you would like to become a member sooner.

Feel free to wait until after attending the session before purchasing membership, as your membership application won't be processed until your name is marked off as completing an Intro Ride or Group Skills session anyway.

Thanks Zac, I didn't see those listings. Hope to see you Aug.22

Geoff

Thanks for all this, Zac,

I looking forward to joining the ride on 5 Sept.

All the best, Bill

Peter B
Looking forward to joining on the 5 Sept.
Best Regards Peter.

I've just signed up for the 05/09 ride. See you all then.

Herms.

Are there any spaces left for this ride? Thanks

Aldo

Hi @aldosands currently this ride is fully booked up. But if I can get more ride leaders we may be able to increase participant numbers.

As we don't operate a waitlist, please check back regularly in case anyone who has already RSVP'd can no longer make it.

We also have some Group Skill sessions with spots available still, so feel free to check those out here: https://forum.islington.cc/microcosms/1304/

Hi Zac,

Thanks for this - I'll keep an eye out in case you do increase the participant numbers.

hey guys,

I would be interested in joining the ride as well. I noticed that the event is full. Would there be any other rides coming up?

Hi @AgathaTomaszewska we have a number of Group Skills sessions available (https://forum.islington.cc/microcosms/1304/), otherwise the next Intro Ride will be in October (first Saturday of each month), though it hasn't been posted yet.

Please check back regularly to see if a space becomes available.

Hi @aldosands @AgathaTomaszewska there is one spot that has opened up on this evenings Group Skills if you are able to make it https://forum.islington.cc/events/5445/

I can't make tonight unfortunately but thanks!!

I've just increased participant numbers, so feel free to sign up @AgathaTomaszewska @aldosands

Just signed up! Thanks.

Hello! I would be interested in signing up for this group if there is still availability. Thanks!

Hello! I hope this ride gets more places for us to join!

Hi @Jime_AG94 we won't be adding more spaces to this ride as we are at the limit of how many riders we can have. But you can check back regularly for any spaces that may open up if others drop out.

However, we've also still got spaces in our upcoming Group Skills sessions which will also allow you to join to club once completed (https://forum.islington.cc/microcosms/1304/).

Hi all, change of plans so I can’t make the coming weekend, hopefully someone can take my spot on short notice

Hi,
Would be happy to take @ClaireSage spot if at all possible?
Cheers,
Ben

Hopefully someone else can take my spot. Came back yesterday from visiting family abroad for the last two weeks and I have to quarantine so don't want to expose anyone.

Happy to take your spot Joost. Sucks about the quarantine though

Hi @Petra @JamesBashford @HannahChapman @George_C @user116134 @user116201 @BillB @user116218 @Herms @LeeH @ClaireR @aldosands @Pranav @CaterinaVersari @Jordan.Claridge @Adewale @Jime_Arena @Niall @Laurence @John

I hope you are all excited for our Intro Ride this Saturday. Weather is looking pretty good too.

If you are no longer able to make this session, could you please remove yourself from the attendee list to allow for others to join, as this session is now fully booked and there are others waiting that would love a spot. (If you reserve a spot but fail to attend we reserve the right to limit your future attendance).

Look forward to welcoming you all on Saturday.

@user116134
@user116201
@user116218

If you would be able to change your username to something a little more recognisable, it will help us greatly with managing attendance and membership processing. Thanks